Danica Patrick: Future Looks Bright as a Full-Time NASCAR Driver

Before the call was given to start engines at the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 race at Richmond this year, Danica Patrick gave a surprising outlook about her hopes for the race: her goal was to finish in the top 20.

It is a rare driver that will ever admit this. Every driver wants to win, and it is very difficult to find a racer that is not—at the very least, expecting a top 10 finish once the checkered flag is dropped.  Perhaps Danica was being overly modest; on the other hand, she may have known her car did not have much chance to win. It was, after all, her first ever stock car race at this track.

This is surprising, no matter the inexperience. She likely has a decent sponsorship package and a pit crew to match. Why would she have such low expectations? She may be doubtful of herself, or, she may realize that she has a steep learning curve with her relatively little experience driving stock cars.

After her eighth start of the NASCAR Nationwide series in 2011, she should not doubt herself at all. She finished 18^th at Richmond—within her stated goal. Though she did show that she needed to learn better breaking skills after turning Brad Keselowski into the wall midway through the race, she has a solid season on which to build.

Thus far, she has qualified in the top 10 two times and has crossed the finish line in the top 10 three times. Her best finish of the season, fourth at the Sam’s Town 300 in Las Vegas, saw her qualify 22^nd and battle up to the top five.

Even for the most pessimistic fan, Danica has built a promising resume for 2011. She can only improve: she will now get a second chance at some tracks that were completely foreign to her in 2011.

In 2012, do not look for Danica Patrick to humbly hope for a top 20 finish in her interviews. While she may not contend for the Nationwide Series title, most definitely expect for her qualifying times to improve, and her top 10 finishes to rise.

Though she has not directly alluded to this goal, it is fairly obvious that she wants to compete in the Sprint Cup Series. She is biding her time.

Danica Patrick’s entry into regular Sprint Cup racing would be a huge push for the sport. An entire demographic (females 25 and under) would be infused into the sport’s already large grip on the racing market. It is the last bastion. 

Hopefully the 2012 season will see the emergence of Danica Patrick not settling for a top 20 finish. In the ensuing years, it would be incredibly beneficial for her to expect to win every time she comes to the track.

Her eventual entry into full time Sprint Cup racing can only be a great thing for the sport. Patience for this is necessary, yet Danica has overcome enough obstacles in her career to take her on the cusp of this final goal only two or three years down the road.